10.3 Protocol for Joint Working with Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation (including the CARE Panel)

AMENDMENT

This protocol was updated in March 2011 to include reference to the CARE (Children at Risk of Sexual Exploitation) Panel, its remit and the arrangements for how it conducts its business. It was further revised in March 2012 when the CARE Panel Flowchart was updated.

RELEVANT GUIDANCE

See Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation issued in August 2009.

Introduction
Principles
Identifying Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation
CARE (Children at Risk of Sexual Exploitation) Panel
Responding to Individual Cases

Appendix 1: CARE Panel Flowchart

1. Introduction

1.1	Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation was published in 2009 and this protocol has been updated in line with its recommendations.
1.2	This document replaces the YPSE Protocol operating in Walsall since 2001. Once again it reflects the collaborative effort of statutory and voluntary partner agencies who work together in supporting children and young people who are involved in or at risk of involvement in sexual exploitation and other forms of commercial exploitation, and to vigorously pursue the prosecution of adult perpetrators. It also now explicitly links to issues of internal trafficking and missing children.
1.3	The Children Act 1989 places two specific duties on agencies to co-operate in the interests of vulnerable children, which includes children involved in sexual exploitation. Section 27 provides that, in exercising its functions under Part III of the Act, a local authority may request help from: Any local authority Any local education authority Any local housing authority Any Health Authority, Special Health Authority, Primary Care Trust for National Health Service; and Any person authorised by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales Part III of the Act also places a duty on local authorities to provide support and services to Children In Need. Section 47 also places a duty on all of the above except the National Assembly to help a local authority with its enquiries in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer Significant Harm. The Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework, under the outcome of Staying Safe, makes explicit reference to being kept safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation” (version 2.0) September 2005.
1.4	This Protocol is consistent with the Walsall Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (as set out in this Manual), with Walsall’s Child Concern Model, the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families and with relevant aspects of Youth Offending Protocols. It also reflects duties under Articles 34, 35 and 39 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

2. Principles

Children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation/abused through prostitution should be treated primarily as the victims of abuse;
The primary law enforcement effort must be against abusers and coercers;
Soliciting, loitering and importuning by children on the street and in public places are criminal offences - criminal justice action should only be considered when all attempts to divert the child from exploitation have failed;
Boys and girls are equally at risk of sexual exploitation;
The full extent of childhood sexual exploitation is unknown;
The commercial exploitation of children is more likely to be hidden from view; working agreements across agencies need to acknowledge this;
Sexual exploitation can include the production, sale, marketing and possession of indecent images of children, the distribution of these pictures using the internet and other forms of modern technology, the Trafficking of children within the UK and international borders and sex tourism involving children - see also Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked and Protocol for Children and Young People Missing from Home or Care.

3. Identifying Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation

3.1	Voluntary and statutory agencies working with sexual exploitation in Walsall see very little evidence of under-age activity on the streets. Coercers and abusers realise the risks involved in the sexual exploitation of children but also stand to benefit from high rewards. Whilst there is no single pattern of how children become involved in sexual exploitation an awareness of some of the indicators can lead to early intervention and opportunity to detract young people from an activity which is also linked to violent assault, drug use, and other criminal activity.
3.2	Parents and Carers need to be alert to one or more of the following; Are there changes in friendship groups – is anyone being talked about in particular – have they stopped associating with old friends? Secrecy – Is information being hidden? Are phone calls/text messages becoming concerning – does a young person have unexplained phone credit. Have young people stopped walking out – do they talk of free bus tickets, lifts, taxi rides – (if so, record details); Do they go to different places i.e. out of town, or new areas, perhaps across boundaries? Do they regularly eat meals elsewhere? Have they got unexplained cash, jewellery, clothes? Are there concerns about alcohol/drug misuse – do they have a regular supply of cigarettes and no reasonable explanation how these were paid for? Has dress sense/style changed? Has school attendance changed? Is time spent on the Internet of concern? Is knowledge about the ‘virtual world’ of concern? Does web cam use raise suspicion? No acknowledgment of the risks associated with camera phones and what can happen to images? Do they regularly run away or go missing?
3.3	Children involved in commercial exploitation may come to the attention of the Police in the course of their duties such as during the investigation into drug offences, or in the execution of search warrants. In such circumstances the police need to be aware of the need to take the necessary immediate steps to safeguard the child and to initiate the process relating to children sexually exploited. In such situations consideration has to be given to the range of offences that adult offenders can be charged with.
3.4	Health professionals, Youth Services, outreach workers and teachers can often identify young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation. Poor family relationships, poverty, abusive environments, truancy, runaway/missing episodes, poor peer relationships, drug/alcohol misuse and a care background can be early indicators of vulnerability to coercers and abusers.
3.5	A young person’s involvement in sexual exploitation may come to the attention of specialist services, drug agencies, Housing Teams, Outreach Services, Genito Urinary Medicine clinicians, pregnancy advisory services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Professionals need to work proactively to support young people.

4. CARE (Children at Risk of Sexual Exploitation) Panel

	Please also see Appendix 1: CARE Panel Flowchart
4.1	The CARE Panel is managed as a sub group of the Walsall Safeguarding Children Board which measures its performance against the ‘Stay Safe Outcome’ of the Every Child Matters agenda. The Panel has three strategic responsibilities; To develop and encourage an effective multi agency working relationship that responds to and safeguards young people involved in or at risk of sexual exploitation; To look at ways of detecting and prosecuting those who are involved in the sexual exploitation of children; To improve ways of working in light of knowledge gained through national and local experience and research to ensure that information is shared, understood and actioned. The CARE Panel consists of two working panels. The first is a practitioner based, operational group; all new referrals and subsequent monitoring is taken to this group. Its status is equal to that of a Child Protection Conference and agencies are expected to contribute to the decision-making process. The second element of the CARE Panel is the strategic leadership; this panel will meet monthly and will consider all young people considered to be at high risk of exploitation. Referrals will come directly from the operational CARE Panel and agencies will provide all known information to this strategic group. On both Panels, the responsibility for case management remains with the identified Lead Professional or Lead Social Worker /agency and any actions agreed will work in parallel with existing plans or arrangements. The Panel does not replace the Section 47 process.
4.2	In addition to this, should referrals be made in the period between the date when the Panel usually meets, a Working Group consisting of a minimum of three agencies will meet within 10 days of a referral to look at action planning.
4.3	Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010), in response to developments in sexual exploitation discusses the safeguarding and promoting of the welfare of children who may be particularly vulnerable; this includes Child Abuse and Information Communication Technology (ICT) and child victims of Trafficking. Training in respect of these issues is reflected within the Safeguarding Children Board Training Plan and is presented by Panel Members.
4.4	The Jigsaw Project Jigsaw is part of Walsall Street Teams who have a long-standing contractual relationship with the local authority to provide services to young people under the age of 18 at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation.
4.5	The majority of direct work in Walsall is undertaken by Jigsaw staff and they are available to assist, they can be involved from Stage 1 of the CARE process and will offer guidance and support to professionals in respect of the assessment process, will contribute to a Common Assessment (CAF), attend Child Concern Model meetings and sit on Core Groups via Child Protection Conferences where appropriate. They also provide awareness training in schools to children and young people via Soloman and CEOP’s Training (ICT issues).
4.6	Youth Justice It is acknowledged that the emphasis of the work in respect of sexual exploitation is to treat those involved in commercial sexual exploitations as victims of child sexual abuse rather than perpetrators of a crime. Every attempt should be made to divert young people from the criminal justice system although it is acknowledged that at some point there will be no option but to take this route. In these circumstances the role of the Youth Justice Service (YJ) and the Police is clear.
4.7	Where young people are being discussed in YJ Fora and there are concerns about possible Anti Social Behaviour Orders or prosecutions, this information should be shared with the CARE Panel. It is recognised that dual processes may be in place; the role YJ will play within action planning will be detailed accordingly.
4.8	The Police Involvement by the Police on Panel is represented by both Walsall and Bloxwich via the Missing Persons Officer from Bloxwich Public Protection Unit (PPU)); there will however be occasions where more specific expertise is required in respect of criminal investigations. There is agreement in place therefore for requests to be made via the CCI in PPU for matters to be referred for further discussion at the Strategic Panel should concerns exist. This process is overseen by the Police Commander who meets with Panel Members on a bi annual basis.

5. Responding to Individual Cases

5.1	The specific circumstances and the immediate level of concern will determine the response.
Stage 1:	Concerns about a child/young person, Click here to view CARE Panel Flow Chart A CARE Panel Meeting can be called within 10 days to agree an action plan to support young people and to collate information of any known abusers. This information will be made available to the Police. Where an alleged abuser has been identified consideration should be given to a Strategy Discussion taking place.
Stage 2:	Outcome of a Practitioner Panel Meeting may be; Existing providers continue to work to safeguard the young person; ongoing advice and support from CARE Panel may be agreed; CARE Panel formulates a support plan to include direct intervention from services represented on the Panel; Case to be managed through Child Concern with Panel oversight; An initial plan or a Child’s Plan, in line with the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) is required to monitor a young person’s wellbeing. In these circumstances the services will be accessed or delivered by Children's Social Care Services. This will require Children's Social Care Services to identify an allocated worker; To recommend a Child Protection Conference; A recommendation that a young person is at immediate risk of Significant Harm and that alternative care provision should be provided. At this point a Strategic CARE Panel should also be advised.
Stage 3:	Ongoing monitoring of the situation will take place at subsequent CARE Practitioner or Strategic Panel Meetings.

Appendix 1: CARE Panel Flowchart

Click here to view Appendix 1: CARE Panel Flowchart

End

10.3 Protocol for Joint Working with Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation (including the CARE Panel)

AMENDMENT

RELEVANT GUIDANCE

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Principles

3. Identifying Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation

4. CARE (Children at Risk of Sexual Exploitation) Panel

The Jigsaw Project

Youth Justice

The Police

5. Responding to Individual Cases

Appendix 1: CARE Panel Flowchart